Geripal-podcast

Psychedelics are having a moment.  Enthusiasm is brimming.  Legalization is moving forward in several states, following the lead of Oregon and Colorado.  FDA is considering approval, shifting away from Schedule I restrictions, paving the way for use in clinical practice.  Potential use in palliative care, chronic pain, and for mood disorders is tantalizing. Early data on efficacy in patients with anxiety and demoralization are promising.  Research is exploding.  Two of our guests today, Stacy Fischer and Brian Anderson, are involved in large multicenter trials of psychedelics for patients with advanced cancer (Fischer) or life-limiting illness (Anderson).  Theora Cimino conducted an observational study (publication in the works) of marginally housed/homeless persons many of whom had experience with psychedelics. And yet there are reasons for caution.  In our prior podcast with Ira Byock on psychedelics in 2019 we talked primarily about the potential of psychedelics.  Today we largely focus on reasons for ca